As said in my profile, this story is based on the RPG site Shinobi: Living Legends (http://nara11. do not own Naruto.

Koudo Daichi and Nekobastu Zane (9th Hokage) belong to Hokage, admin of Shinobi: Living Legends. Hokage is also credited with the general plot of the story.

Hyuuga Shimaru and Sarutobi Mara belong to me.

Oh, and at first, the title is not going to seem like it has anything to do with the story, but be patient. It will be made clear.

Secondly, if you came here looking for any sort of romance whatsoever, you are in the wrong place, and you should turn around and go read some mushy SasuSaku story or something.

And Mara is not going to be a Mary Sue character. The story is actually going to center around Shimaru, although he and Mara kind of share the status of main character. The prologue is mostly from Shimaru's point of view.

I would appreciate any constructive criticism you have, as well as comments about what you like.

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Long ago, the land was in chaos, innocent people were dying, villages falling, and even the land itself seemed shrouded in darkness. It was during the time of the First Hokage, when it was decided the land must be saved from a war that had caused the land to tear itself apart. Seven ninja were chosen, each willing to die for their village. Together, these ninja forged seven stones of great power. The power of the stones was never told, only witnessed by those around, but by using the stones, these seven ninja stopped the wars, the death, and all the hell that broke loose. The were named the ultimate power, unstoppable by any mortal force.

It was granted that the stones together could bring the land into darkness as it once had been, so it was decided the stones would be separated, so they would never be reunited, and so that the land would forever remain in peace. Each village was given a stone, and a few of the countries were also awarded a stone. This was the wish of the great leaders, who were willing to do anything to keep their villages safe. It was in future generations of ninja that the stone would be given to someone else, the new leader, or Kage of that area. The stones would be handed down to only the most trusted ninja who would willingly give their life to ensure the stone would never be stolen. With this, the land was at peace, and eventually, as the land changed, the stones moved.

After the time of Uzumaki Naruto, the Sound and Star villages came into greater power, becoming major villages. Somehow, the new great villages acquired the stones. Now, in a new era, a new enemy is rising, and the ninja of Konohagakure were once again caught in the middle.

Stones:

Konohagakure: Ruby

Sunagakure: Quartz

Kirigakure: Sapphire

Kumogakure: Citrine

Iwagakure: Tourmaline

Otogakure: Tanzanite

Hoshigakure: Emerald

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Nekobatsu Zane, ninth Hokage of Konohagakure, was standing in the shade next to the Konoha ninja academy. A crowd of children and parents milled around the area in front of a wooden stage. Everyone was trying to find seats for the admission ceremony. The parents were trying to control their unruly children, who did not want to sit still.

"Hyuuga Shimaru, you get back here this instant!" a woman yelled as she chased a small boy across the cleared area.

Zane chuckled as the children ganged up on their parents. Despite their determination to get away now, they would take their seats as quick as lightning when it was time to start. Konoha was a shinobi village, and almost every child dreamed of becoming a ninja. The Hokage pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of his pocket and read it over one more time. He sighed and crumpled the paper yet again. He hated these formal events, but they were important. He started walking toward the platform, but before he had taken two steps, something caught his eye.

On the edge of the crowd, sitting on the outside of the group of chairs, one family sat in silence. The mother and father were seated on either side of a dark-haired girl, the only child in the area that was not causing havoc. Instead, she was reading a book, a school textbook, which was not something you would normally think of as appropriate for a child so young. Her parents glanced at her nervously, as if her lack of enthusiasm scared them. None of the other entering students paid any attention to the girl.

Zane shrugged off a momentary chill that crept its way down his spine. Pasting a cheerful smile on his face, he mounted the steps that led to the wooden platform.

-----

"Hey, Shimaru, look at that grumpy face." Shimaru's friend whispered in his ear.

Both of them had already gone up on stage to be officially received into the Academy, and now they were bored. But someone on stage had caught their attention. Shimaru nodded and grinned along with his friend as they watched the girl shake hands with the Hokage. She was the only one who did not smile.

"Yeah, no motivation at all, that one. She'll be gone before the first semester is over."

-----

Zane wandered among the students and their parents during the reception, trying to congratulate and encourage as many of them as possible. As he scooped some more punch, he saw the girl again, standing next to her parents as they talked. Smiling brightly, he walked over and shook hands.

"It's great to have your child in the Academy. Call me Zane." He said, for he could see the dreaded title 'Hokage' forming on their lips.

"Sarutobi Roiyaru." The man, said, shaking the proffered hand. "And this my wife, Nara Sarutobi Yasashi, and our daughter, Mara."

The girl in question looked up from the cup of punch she had been scrutinizing and nodded to Zane. Not a smile, not a bow, just a nod. As the girl's dark eyes met his, the shiver again presented itself, the cold feeling of being examined and watched. Then it was gone, and Mara was staring at her punch again. Roiyaru and Yasashi were watching him nervously, wondering how he would react. Roiyaru hesitantly touched Zane's arm and drew him away, while Yosashi bent down to whisper the rules of courtesy in her daughter's ear.

"I'm sorry about that." Roiyaru said, frowning. "Mara…well, she's shy. At first we thought that it was some sort of mental condition but…the doctor said it didn't match anything she'd ever seen so…" he shrugged. "She should grow out of it. The Academy will be good for her."

Now Zane was frowning. It was extremely rare for parents to admit that their child was less than perfect. They must really be worried. He thought.

"Now, I'm sure she'll do fine, but I'll ask the teachers to keep an eye on her if you like. We were all shy once." Zane said, in a vain attempt to soothe Roiyaru.

The Hokage walked away as casually as he could, and looked around for someone else to talk to, while he filed the conversation away for future reference. Hyuuga Oruga, second in command of that famous kekkai genkai clan, hurried up to him, looking flustered.

"Have you seen Shimaru? No, I don't suppose you have. I'm about to retract his Academy admission. If he gets any better at hiding, we'll never see him again!" The Hyuuga looked serious.

"No, but I'm sure he'll be under the table or something. Look for his little gang of practical jokers, why don't you? Not all of them can hide as well as Shimaru, and they might lead you to him." Zane suggested.

Just then, there was a loud splash, and a collective gasp from behind them. When Zane turned around, Shimaru was there, dodging in and out between the adults, taunting the small girl he had just dumped punch over.

"Better not smile, your face'll break! Bet you can't even talk, 'fraidy-cat!" The Hyuuga child was grinning from ear to ear as he danced a circle around Mara, who, though dripping wet, was still holding her own cup. Mara's eyes were not angry or surprised. They were set and concentrated, and her left hand was balled into a fist at her side.

"Shimaru, you stop that this instant!" Oruga shouted at his son, attempting to intercept his determined child. "Apologize! You're a disgrace to the Hyuugas!"

In the end, Oruga didn't catch Shimaru, but Mara did. The daring little Hyuuga hopped too close. There was another splash, and the crackling crunch of plastic as Mara emptied her own punch right into Shimaru's face. He froze in place, and Mara took the opportunity to crush the red plastic cylinder on Shimaru's nose and left eye.

"Mara!" Yasashi's reproving voice was shocked, and she took her child firmly by the hand. "We're leaving."

"So are we. I don't ever want to see you do this again, Shimaru!" Oruga seized his prankster prodigy by the sleeve and practically dragged him in the opposite direction, away from the scene of his embarrassment.

Zane looked after each receding family, confused for a moment. Then he shook his head and smiled.

Oh boy. The teachers are in for a real riot this year.

-----

"Aww, man, I wonder when we're ever going to get our grades in. My parents won't stop bugging me." A sandy-haired boy swung around in circles on the tree branch.

"They said to go check this evening. Don't you remember?" Shimaru sat leaning against the trunk, his gray Hyuuga eyes closed as he enjoyed the summer sun.

Despite his tumultuous beginning, Shimaru was now known for his calm, serious, rational behavior in the face of trouble. He had given up practical jokes…for the most part. The odd teacher still found a bucket over his door, but nothing that could be accurately traced to Shimaru. Instead, the now seven-year old Hyuuga put his energy into becoming the stealthiest student in the academy. He had high threshold of pain for such a young child. He was always composed and unruffled, although a sardonic smile always lurked just under the surface. However, there was still one person who could break his shell and get under his skin: Sarutobi Mara.

That evening, Oruga dragged Shimaru over to the Academy to see the posted grades. All the scores were up on a bulletin board. The teachers believed that this publicity would encourage the students to get better grades. There was already a small crowd of parents and student blocking the board.

"Hey Shimaru, I heard someone say they saw you at the top. Figures, you're always the best at everything." Shimaru's friend gave him a friendly punch on the shoulder.

Shimaru smiled slightly and nodded. "Maybe." He said, trying to take the compliment gracefully.

When they finally got to see the scores, it was the taller adults who made the first comments.

"Good job, son." Oruga said, clapping Shimaru on the shoulder.

Shimaru's friend stood on tiptoe and peered and board.

"Darn, in the middle again. Lucky me. And at the top, of course…" his face suddenly lightened a shade.

"What is it?" demanded Shimaru.

"Nothing-"

But now Shimaru could see the long list of grades, and he knew what it was that had made his friend nervous. Shimaru's name was indeed at the top…well, almost. There was one name above his. Sarutobi Mara.

Shimaru could feel his fists clenching, shaking. Mara! Why did it always have to be Mara? She didn't have any friends, and she spent all her time reading in a corner. Heck, she didn't even talk to anyone except the teacher! Why should she get a good grade?

Keeping his voice deliberately calm, Shimaru tried to sound as if it was no big deal.

"Hey, don't worry. She's just a teacher's pet."

But they both knew it wasn't true.

-----

Shimaru straightened in his seat, watching and waiting as the teacher read out the teams to the newly graduated Genin in the room. He was now ten years old, and wearing the Konoha headband across his forehead. His calm, pupiless eyes stole a glance across the room at the dark haired girl who sat with her eyes closed and her arms folded. Her headband was wrapped around her left upper arm.

"Team Three under Hyuuga Kouro: Inuzuka Urusai, Sarutobi Mara, and Hurano Chijin."

Brushing her long hair behind her ear, Mara stood and walked out the door with the rest of her new team. Shimaru glared after her until the door closed.

"Team Five under Koudo Daichi: Uzumaki Hyro, Yakamana Ronin, and Hyuuga Shimaru."

Shimaru got up, nodding sadly to his friend as he passed. Then, as he paused in the doorway, he smiled. He was a real shinobi now!

-----

A twelve-year-old Shimaru was wandering aimlessly around the training ground area. He was bored.

If you've punched one dummy, you've punched them all. He thought. He was walking past a clearing with a large dead stump on one side. Suddenly, there was a solid crack, like someone had just taken a hammer to the stump from the other side. Curious, he tiptoed around to the other side.

It seemed that his guess had not been far off. Mara stood on the other side of the stump, next to a sizeable dent in the bark. Her right hand was bleeding at the knuckles. Her eyes were closed, whether in frustration or pain, he couldn't tell. But Shimaru decided this would be the perfect time to needle his emotionless rival.

"Hey, Mara." He said, stepping out from behind a tree. "I heard you got in trouble on your mission today."

Mara opened her eyes and stared coldly at him, but said nothing.

"Something about leaving your team behind." Shimaru continued, "You really should know better. Teamwork and patience are two of a ninja's most valuable skills."

Still no reaction from Mara.

"They called your parents in, I bet. Of course, that might have been a mistake. Your mother wouldn't know a mistake from a-"

BAM!

Shimaru had been so busy thinking up taunts that he had failed to notice when they finally produced a reaction. He finally noticed when his head snapped back and he was thrown into the tree behind him.

"Insult me to please your petty ego if you must, Hyuuga. But leave my parents out of it." Mara's voice was a low growl.

Shimaru stared up at her from where he had fallen. It was the first time that Mara had ever spoken to him. In fact, it was the most words he had ever heard her say at one time.

Then it was his turn to get angry. He jumped to his feet and lashed out with one chakra-encased palm. It was the traditional Juuken Hyuuga fighting style. But it didn't land.

Mara was already moving, backwards and to the left. She was usually a long-range fighter, and close combat with a Hyuuga was not a good idea. However, she wasn't carrying her normal set of throwing knives, so there really wasn't much choice.

Shimaru tried to spin in place and pace her movement, but it didn't work. Another blow hit him on the back of the neck and sent him sprawling. Dang it, when did she get so fast? Normally, when one saw Mara, she wasn't moving.

The fight only lasted a few minutes, but it was something that would be burned into Shimaru's memory for the rest of his life. When it was over, he could barely move. His muscles were sore from being pummeled by an opponent that was never there when he turned, and his chakra was nearly spent for hits that never landed. He was still trying to get back up when a sharp pain in his ankle forced him to abandon the effort. It's broken… he realized. He tensed, fully expecting another blow, but nothing happened.

When he twisted around to look, Mara was walking away towards the village, not even bothering to look back.'

-----

The Chunin exams were over. Both Shimaru and Mara had left their teams behind in the preliminary to the third round. Shimaru was eliminated in the third round of the tournament, while Mara went on to become the overall winner. Seven ninja became Chunin that year.

A little under a year later, Iwagakure launched a surprise attack on Konoha, and the ninja were called out to fight. Konoha eventually won, but not before both of Mara's parents fell in battle. One of the undertaker ninja was the last person to see her. He later reported that she had come to where they had gathered the dead and walked to straight to her parents' bodies. "She just stood there for awhile," the unfortunate undertaker told Mara's old team leader, Kouro, "looking down at them. She didn't really looked sad…more…I don't know, relieved. After a couple of minutes she just walked off. Didn't say a word." That was the last time Mara was seen in Konoha.

No one except for Mara herself knows for sure why she ran off that night. A team was sent after her, but they came back empty-handed. She left no message, and took nothing except her weapons and what she could carry in the small pouch she always wore at her waist. Nothing was heard of her for about six months. Then a report came from Otogakure in a sarcastic message to the Hokage, asking if they had misplaced one of their ninja. A girl brazenly wearing a broken Konoha headband, had killed one of their Jonin commanders.

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The moon was a mere sliver in the velvet expanse of the sky, its feeble light no brighter than that of any one of the numerous stars that looked down on Otogakure. A few night watchmen on the perimeter dozed with their eyes open, lulled by the warm peace of the summer night. Within the city, all was dark and quiet…until the shadows began to move. Shifting and changing, the darker patches flowed noiselessly like water from a relentless tide, intent on reaching its destination.

The Shadow Shroud, Mara's signature jutsu, required attention to detail, but not much chakra, especially on a perfect night like this. It was a strange feeling, really, being back in a village. This was the first time she had entered any of the shinobi villages since she had left Konoha. But she felt no attraction to it. She would just do her job and leave.

Feeling the rough stone beneath her hand, Mara vaulted over the wall, landing without a sound, merely another shadow in the courtyard. A light was on in a third-story window. Hmm, so he hasn't gone to sleep yet. No matter, I can't afford to wait. The bricks and decorative ledges of the official building provided ample hand and footholds. In seconds, she was crouching next to the window.

Kiseno Arenai was working late in his private study, pouring over the numerous reports from the Chunin under his command. The small room was dimly lit by a single lamp over his desk, which faced a small window that faced out towards the gate. Arenai felt a slight breeze and looked up with a frown at the window he could have sworn was closed a second ago. He got up to close it, but he only taken a single step when the door opened, admitting his wife, bearing a tray of food.

Mara cursed inwardly as she saw the door open, but there was nothing she could do. The knife was already flying. As it buried itself in Arenai's head, his wife dropped the tray and screamed. Stupid woman! She moved to crouch on the windowsill and stretched out her hand to recall her blade. For a instant, as she let the Shadow Shroud drop to catch the knife, her cold, dark eyes locked with those of Arenai's horrified spouse. Then the hilt of the dagger hit Mara's outstretched palm with a soft thunk. The moment broken, the woman began to scream again. Mara was about to throw the knife again when lights were turned on in the house next door. With an irritated growl, more animal than human, Mara sheathed the blade and lept down lightly to the ground, wrapping the Shadow Shroud around herself once more. Moving right past the watchmen running in the other direction, Mara slid out the front door and the village erupted into chaos behind her.

-----

She was suspected to be in collaboration with an infamous organization known as the Kagai. The Kagai were styled after the Atasuki in tales of old, but no one knows what their goal is this time around.

It has been almost two years since Mara was spotted in Otogakure. Several more assassinations have been attributed to her, but no one has found evidence enough to convict her. Konoha declared her an S-class criminal and first priority threat to the village. Despite numerous searches, no one has seen her since that night in Oto. Shimaru, her childhood rival, is among those still searching. The Hyuuga has risen in the ranks of the Konohagakure shinobi, and hopes to one day become the leader of ANBU.

-Konoha military report, filed by Koudo Daichi

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Wow, that was a long prologue. I'm reading in at 8 pages in Microsoft Word. The hardest part about this is going to be keeping it from becoming a novel-length book.

Well, at least this is done. Who knows when I'll get the first chapter up? It's probably going to be even longer than this!

Not good…